Hyderabad: The state assembly on Monday passed the Telangana Advocates Protection Bill, 2026, focusing on the safety, welfare, and professional security of lawyers. The Bill will ensure insurance coverage and health cards for advocates, aiming to reduce financial vulnerability within the profession.The Bill also emphasizes inclusive representation in legal appointments, such as public prosecutors and standing counsels, with a focus on BCs, SCs, STs, and minorities. It also proposes infrastructure support under the ‘Nyaya Nirman’ initiative, including dedicated Bar Association facilities, particularly for women advocates.“Our govt is sincerely committed to the welfare and protection of advocates, and we are taking concrete steps to ensure their safety and dignity. We are deeply committed to social justice — not merely in words, but through measurable action. In the appointment of public prosecutors (PPs), standing counsels, and other legal positions, we are giving significant representation to BCs, SCs, and STs. In contrast, the central govt has not upheld the same commitment to social justice. If the data is examined closely, the disparity will become evident,” legislative affairs minister D Sridhar Babu said while replying to queries and requests from members of the BJP, AIMIM, CPI, and Congress regarding the Bill.Sridhar added that BJP members in the House should not only give suggestions to the state govt to provide representation to SCs, STs, and BCs in top judicial posts but should also urge the BJP govt at the Centre to do the same and set an example.The minister further stated that in Telangana, out of 414 PPs, 126 are from BC communities, 59 from SCs, and 25 from STs. Among assistant public prosecutors (APPs), 24 are from OC communities, 37 from BCs, 16 from SCs, 3 from STs, and 1 from a minority community. “These numbers clearly reflect our govt’s inclusive approach,” he said.“Insurance coverage and health cards will be provided to eligible advocates, ensuring their social and financial security. For women advocates, we are taking steps to establish dedicated Bar association halls, and under the “Nyaya Nirman” initiative, we will strengthen the infrastructure and basic facilities required for the legal fraternity,” he added.Earlier, while introducing the Bill in the House, the minister recalled that during the previous BRS govt, the murder of advocate Gattu Vaman Rao and his spouse shocked society. The CBI investigation is ongoing in the case.Since that incident, the legal fraternity has consistently demanded a dedicated law for their protection. The previous govt did not take action. “Our govt is committed to safeguarding the dignity and security of advocates and has brought this Bill,” Sridhar said.The assembly also passed the Telangana platform-based gig workers (registration, social security and welfare) Bill, 2026. Labour minister G Vivek said it aims to bring app-based delivery, mobility, and service workers under a structured welfare and social security framework. The Bill mandates the creation of a dedicated social security and welfare board to register workers and oversee benefits.
